Reuben Ngata (born 31 October 1936) is a former New Zealand Paralympic athlete of Ngāti Porou (Māori) descent. He was a member of New Zealand's inaugural Paralympic team, competing at the 1968 Tel Aviv Paralympic Games in athletics. He later represented New Zealand at the 1976 Toronto Paralympic Games, where he competed in athletics, table tennis, and weightlifting, winning a bronze medal in the men's lightweight weightlifting event.
Early life and background
Ngata was born on 31 October 1936 in Tikitiki, New Zealand, and grew up in the small town on the country's East Coast. His hometown is recorded as Ruatoria. He worked on a farm in his early adult life. In 1961, at age 24, he was diagnosed with polio after experiencing symptoms including tingling in his legs.
Paralympic career
Ngata competed at the 1968 Summer Paralympics in Tel Aviv, Israel, in athletics, as part of New Zealand's first-ever Paralympic team. He is recognized as the country's tenth Paralympian (numbered #10 by Paralympics New Zealand).
At the 1976 Summer Paralympics in Toronto, Canada, Ngata competed in three sports: athletics, table tennis, and weightlifting. He won a bronze medal in the men's lightweight weightlifting event. After the Toronto Games, he took up boccia.
Later life and recognition
Ngata received his official numbered Paralympic pin as part of Paralympics New Zealand's Celebration Project in Auckland in May 2019. His story has been featured in New Zealand media, including a profile by the New Zealand Herald in collaboration with Toyota and Paralympics New Zealand. According to Paralympics New Zealand, Ngata passed away in September of the year preceding the 50th anniversary of the Toronto 1976 Games (reported in 2025).
